Prosecutor requests life sentence for ex-Chad dictator

DAKAR, Senegal – The prosecution has requested that Chad's former dictator Hissene Habre be sentenced to life imprisonment if convicted of crimes against humanity, torture and war crimes in an unprecedented trial in which one African country is prosecuting the former ruler of another.

Senegal prosecutor Mbacke Fall made the recommendation Wednesday after his closing arguments. He also requested Habre's assets be confiscated.

The Extraordinary African Chambers was established by Senegal and the African Union to try Habre on accusations of being responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people during his 1982-1990 rule. After being overthrown, Habre fled to Senegal, where he was charged in 2013.